He is one of the outstanding figures of English history. On the death ofhis brother Æthelred Alfred became king, coming to the throne during aDanish invasion. Although he succeeded in making peace with the Danes,they resumed their marauding expeditions five years later, and by early878 they were successful almost everywhere. About Easter of 878, however,Alfred established himself at Athelney and began assembling an army. Inthe middle of that year he defeated the Danes and captured theirstronghold, probably at present-day Edington. During the following 14years Alfred was able to devote himself to the internal affairs of hiskingdom. By 886 he had captured the city of London, and soon afterward hewas recognized as the king of all England.

In 893 the Danes invaded England again, and the following four years weremarked by warfare; eventually, the Danes were forced to withdraw fromAlfred's domain. The only ruler to resist Danish invasions successfully,Alfred made his kingdom the rallying point for all Saxons, thus laying thefoundation for the unification of England.

Alfred was a patron of learning and did much for the education of hispeople. He began a court school and invited British and foreign scholars,notably the Welsh monk Asser (flourished 885-909) and the Irish-bornphilosopher and theologian John Scotus Erigena, to come there. Alfredtranslated such works as The Consolation of Philosophy by the Romanstatesman and philosopher Boethius, The History of the World by theSpanish priest Paulus Orosius (circa 385-420), and Pastoral Care by PopeGregory I. Alfred's laws, the first promulgated in more than a century,were the first that made no distinction between the English and the Welshpeoples.

OCCUPATION: Half brother of William the Conquereor and companion at the battle of Hastings , 1066. Lord of Sussex Rape of Pevensey, with castle there. Virtual Earl of Cornwall; inclu ded Honour of Berkhamstead with castle there. Rebelled 1088; pardoned. Largest landholder i n the county after the King, holdings in 19 counties.

ALIAS: Robert de Mortain

MISC: Fought in battle of HastingsAlternate name found in file: Robert De Mortain

Also known as Robert de BURGO, Count of Mortain(Mortagne) and Earl of Cromwell (in England) . He was a half-brother to William "the Conqueror". Ancesrry and Progentry of Captain James B lount - Immigrant, by Robert F. Pfafman, p E-33 and 34.